SIDELINER
An athletic trainer pack made with easy access and security in mind.
Timeline

11 weeks

Date

Spring 2025

Contribution

Collaboration with Hillary Chen and Mia Nakano

User group

Athletic trainers (ATs) are medical professionals who work with sports teams.

They are responsible for preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries directly at the site of injury.

what's wrong with their current bags?

Smaller AT packs are more convenient and adaptable, but have lower storage capacity and security.

Larger AT packs hold many essentials but are non-ideal for injuries that happen on the field.

User interview

We spoke with Anna, a collegiate Assistant AT who uses a smaller side-body bag.

Her issues included her bag moving around when she was running and not having a good way to keep external components, like her radio and tape, on the outside of the bag where she can access it.

How Might We...

... create a medium-size pack that allows ATs to access equipment quickly while keeping it secure during movement?

ROUGH ideation

We explored a variety of sizes before narrowing in on a smaller pack.

By bringing some of our sketched ideas into rough paper prototypes, we determined that we wanted a smaller cross-body bag that included multiple accessible compartments.

refined exploration

We narrowed our focus on a cross body bag that could be used on either side of the body to allow for more flexible use. Beyond that, we made a point to include a two-way radio clip, an external storage solution for tape, and a larger compartment in the front flap of the bag.

VISUAL INSPIRATION

In keeping with the role of ATs as medical professionals who work with multiple athletes, we created a color scheme of black with red accents in order to not clash with team colors. We focused on a waterproof and durable material that is able to withstand harsh weather.

Final Solution

Sideliner is an AT pack made for easy access and convenience for any situation on the field.

Tape storage

Tape is held externally by an elastic band and toggle inspired by fly fishing that keeps it both in reach and secure.

accordion pocket

For other important supplies that require quick and easy access, an accordion pocket with a magnetic latch is located.

radio holder

A radio clip is located on the upper shoulder strap to keep a two-way radio handy.